Blessed Are They Who Mourn: Finding Comfort in God’s Embrace

Scripture for Empathy: “Cry with those who mourn”

Romans 12:15 instructs, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This verse is a call to empathy, to share in the burdens and pains of others. It’s an invitation to be present, to listen, and to provide comfort. In doing so, we embody the love and compassion of Christ, creating a community that bears one another’s burdens.

Praying for Enemies and Mourning’s Role

Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” highlights the transformative power of love in mourning. Mourning can lead to forgiveness and a deeper understanding of God’s grace, as we are called to extend love even to those who have caused us pain.

Here’s a detailed list of scriptures related to mourning and comfort to supplement the blog:

1. Matthew 5:4
   • “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
   • Context: Part of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching about the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Psalm 34:18
   • “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
   • Context: A Psalm of David, expressing trust in God who delivers the righteous from their troubles.
3. Isaiah 61:1-3
   • “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion…”
   • Context: A prophecy about the Messiah’s mission to provide comfort and joy to those who mourn.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
   • “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
   • Context: Paul’s words highlighting God’s role as the source of all comfort and how believers are to comfort each other.
5. Lamentations 3:31-33
   • “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
   • Context: A reflection amidst the sorrow over Jerusalem’s destruction, emphasizing God’s compassion and mercy.
6. Ecclesiastes 3:4
   • “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
   • Context: Part of a passage describing the different seasons and activities appointed by God in human life.
7. John 11:25-26
   • “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'”
   • Context: Jesus’ declaration to Martha before raising Lazarus from the dead, highlighting the hope of resurrection.
8. Revelation 21:4
   • “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
   • Context: A vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, where God removes all causes of sorrow.
9. Romans 12:15
   • “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
   • Context: Paul’s instructions to the Romans on living in harmony and empathy with one another.
10. Psalm 30:5
    • “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
    • Context: A Psalm of David expressing the transient nature of weeping and the everlasting joy found in God.
11. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
    • “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
    • Context: Paul addresses the Thessalonians’ concerns about the fate of those who have died before Christ’s return, offering hope and comfort.
12. Matthew 5:44
    • “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
    • Context: Part of the Sermon on the Mount, encouraging believers to display love and forgiveness beyond human standards.

Conclusion

In the divine economy, nothing, not even mourning, is wasted. Through tears, we see the world differently, understanding more profoundly the heart of God. “Blessed are they that mourn” is not a mere platitude but a profound truth that points to the hope and healing found in God’s loving embrace.